10 Bizarre Circus Sideshows

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HowStuffWorks looks at the history of magician's assistants, what they do and why the assistant is usually a woman.

Author's Note:

It's hard to deny the fact that the strange talents of people feel a little more fun to celebrate than the (often times painful or life-threatening) medical conditions. While it's terrific that sideshows these days feature performers who are empowered and responsible for their act, I can't help but think that I would pay a lot of money to see Le Petomane perform today.

Gilbert, Elizabeth. "The Lives They Lived: Melvin Burkhart, B. 1907; Life as a Blockhead." The New York Times. Dec. 30, 2011. (May 8, 2015) http://www.nytimes.com/2001/12/30/magazine/the-lives-they-lived-melvin-burkhart-b-1907-life-as-a-blockhead.html